An Array of Supports for Including Students with Disabilities in General Education Programs

1. An Array of Supports for Including Students with Disabilities in General Education Programs New Jersey Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs 2008

2. LRE Targets and State Data Targets - School Age Year <21% >60% Separate Settings • 2005-2006 41.9% 17.8% 10.3% • 2006-2007 42.1% 18.0% 10.0% • 2008-200943.0% 19% 9.0% • 2009-2010 43.5% 19% 8.5% • 2010-2011 44.0% 19% 8.0% State Performance Data • 2005-200642.0% 17.8% 10.0% • 2006-2007 43.3% 17.7% 10.2% • 2007-2008 45.0% 16.2% 10.1%

3. Workshop Objectives • To present an array of supports for including students with disabilities in general education programs • To describe the IEP decision making process that informs the consideration and identification of needed supports • To provide an opportunity for you to reflect on current practice and the need to develop and/or expand your supports in general education programs • To highlight implementation considerations and strategies for building capacity

4. Format for Discussion Identify Areas for Building Capacity Review Reference Materials Discuss Implementation Considerations Reflect on Current Practices Describe Support

5. Array of Student Supports Curricular/Instructional Modifications or Specialized Instructional Strategies Consultation Assistive Services Technology In-Class Resource Supplementary Programs Instruction Teacher Behavior Aides Supports Student Needs

6. Individualized Education Program (IEP) PLAAFP Annual Measurable Goals SAS & PM Supports for School Personnel Measurement & Report of Progress Student Needs Supports Instructional Content Student Progress IEP Decision Making Process

7. Key Questions for the Decision Making Process • What are the student’s learning needs relative to the general education curriculum? • What are the student’s other educational needs? • Can the student learn the same content as chronological age peers, or are modifications needed? • In what ways can we support the student’s learning needs and goals/objectives within the general education classroom/program? • In what ways can we support the staff to address the student’s needs within the general education classroom/program?

8. Reflection for Building Capacity What are considerations for implementation? What is currently in place? -District-wide -Individual schools Where do we need to develop or expand this support?

9. Tool to Facilitate Listening/Reflection

10. Implementation Considerations IEP Decision Making Process Knowledge & Skills Administrative Leadership Collaboration Parent Involvement Resources

11. Foundational Concepts

12. Foundational Concepts • Supports vary depending upon the classroom activity/routine and the individual student’s strengths and challenges • Supports can be provided by people working directly with students in the general education classroom • Supports can also be provided on behalf of a student through consultation services to general education teachers and teacher aides

13. Foundational Concepts The type and intensity of supports should be evaluated on a regular basis • The type and/or intensity of supports may change over time based on: • Student’s skill level • Curricular/instructional demands • Environmental factors • Criteria for selecting and evaluating the effectiveness of supports should be identified

14. Support Curricular/Instructional Modifications or Specialized Instructional Strategies

15. Regulations • N.J.A.C. 6A:14-1.3 defines special education as specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. • IDEA 300.39(b)(3) defines specially designed instruction as adapting the content, methodology, or delivery of instruction to address the unique needs of the child and to ensure access to the general education curriculum …. REGARDLESS OF PLACEMENT

16. Modifications to the General Education Curriculum • Modifications to the general education curriculum to address the unique needs of a child and ensure access to the general education curriculum [IDEA 300.39(b)(3)] can include: • Modifications to content (goals and objectives) • Modifications to methodology or delivery of instruction (modifications and supplementary aids and services) • Modifications to meet the student’s other educational needs (goals and objectives and/or modifications and supplementary aids and services)

17. Modifications to the General Education Curriculum • A student with a disability is not removed from the age appropriate general education classroom solely based on needed modifications to the general education curriculum [N.J.A.C.6A:14-4.2(a)9] LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT

18. Instruction Curricular Demands Materials & Equipment Monitoring & Assessment Classroom Organization Environmental Conditions Curricular/Instructional Modifications or Specialized Instructional Strategies

19. Curricular/Instructional Modifications or Specialized Instructional Strategies Curricular Demands • Modify learning expectations through IEP goals and objectives • Modify the nature/complexity of assignments or tests Instruction • Preparation – previewing information and materials; advanced organizers; KWL strategies; preteaching • Prompts – mnemonics, graphic organizers, color coding, cue cards, pictures • Applications – hands-on activities, prompts, manipulatives, dramatization, illustrations

20. Curricular/Instructional Modifications or Specialized Instructional Strategies Classroom Organization • Instructional Groups (e.g., peer partners, buddy systems) • Classroom Routines (e.g., individual class schedule, daily planner) • Transition Prompts Materials & Equipment • Materials for a range of readability levels • Computers and software • E-books • Audio books • Adjusted formats • FM system

21. Curricular/Instructional Modifications or Specialized Instructional Strategies Environmental Conditions • Privacy workspaces • Variety of seating arrangements • Organizational tools (bins/cabinets) • Classical background music to enhance concentration • Temperature adjustments • Safety rules and procedures and safe use of equipment • Modeling/demonstrating • Labeling

22. Curricular/Instructional Modifications or Specialized Instructional Strategies Monitoring & Assessment • Response Format and Procedures • Use of preferred mode (e.g., dictation to a peer/adult/PC, use of illustrations, posters, diagram) • Adjusted format • Extended time • Fewer items • Teacher Instruction of Student Self-management • Goal setting • Self-monitoring strategies • Strategies for organizing time, tasks and materials • Visual representations of progress (e.g., graphs)

23. Reflection for Capacity Building What are considerations for implementation? What is currently in place? -District-wide -Individual schools Where do we need to develop or expand this support?

24. Implementation Considerations IEP Decision Making Process Knowledge & Skills Administrative Leadership Collaboration Parent Involvement Resources

25. Reference Materials

26. Support Behavior Supports

27. Behavior Supports IEP Considerations • In the case of a student whose behavior impedes his or her learning or that of others, consider, when appropriate, strategies, including positive behavioral interventions and supports to address that behavior. [N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.7(c)4]

28. Behavior Supports Behavior serves a function… • All behavior serves a purpose for the individual • Most behaviors serve one of two functions • To get something (obtain) • Attention, objects, sensory regulation • To get out/ away from something (escape) • Tasks, embarrassment, people

29. Behavior Supports The ABCs of Problem Behavior Antecedents are events that occur prior to the behavior A Behavior must be observable, measurable, and describe what the student says or does B What is said and done in response to the occurrence of the behavior C

30. Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) • Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) are proactive and focus on: • Understanding the reason for challenging behavior • Student strengths and needs • Teaching alternative skills • Improvement in the student’s quality of life

31. Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) • PBS supports a collaborative team approach • PBS can range from a simple assessment of behavior and intervention to a multifaceted assessment and intervention planning for students with significant behavioral needs

32. Behavior Intervention Strategies Examples of Antecedent/Setting Events • Change sequence of daily routine • Provide choice • Increase access to preferred activities • Modify task • Modify/adapt materials • Change interactions • Visual supports • Sensory strategies • Advanced preparation/rehearsal for difficult/unusual events (discussion, role play, social story)

33. Behavior Intervention Strategies Examples of Replacement Behaviors/Skills Training • Teach a replacement skill to meet student’s needs (e.g., asking for a break, asking for help, asking for attention) • Teach skills to increase general competence (e.g., communication, social skills, self-management, play skills) • Teach coping skills for times of stress • Trigger identification • Anger management • Relaxation/calming strategies • Conflict resolution

34. Behavior Intervention Strategies Examples of Consequence Strategies • Use positive consequences • Reinforce use of alternative skills • Redirect to new activity • Provide feedback regarding challenging behavior • Use corrective feedback strategically • (5 positives to 1 correction) • Design a crisis management plan to protect the student and others that all personnel implement consistently • Be alert to triggers and phases of escalating behavior • Try to redirect proactively • Stay calm and follow the plan

35. Behavior Intervention Strategies Examples of Long Term Prevention Strategies • Teach self management skills • Provide students with appropriate academic supports, as needed • Provide direct social skills training and facilitate opportunities to develop friendships with peers

36. Reflection for Capacity Building What are considerations for implementation? What is currently in place? -District-wide -Individual schools Where do we need to develop or expand this support?

37. Implementation Considerations IEP Decision Making Process Knowledge & Skills Administrative Leadership Collaboration Parent Involvement Resources

38. Reference Materials

39. Support Assistive Technology

40. Assistive Technology Device • Assistive technology device means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability. The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of such device.[N.J.A.C. 6A:14-1.3, Appendix F]

41. Assistive Technology Services • Assistive technology service means any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. The term includes: • The evaluation of the needs of a student with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the student in his or her customary environment; • Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by students with disabilities;

42. Assistive Technology Services • Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing assistive technology devices; • Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs; • Training or technical assistance for a student with a disability or, if appropriate, that student’s family; and

43. Assistive Technology Services • Training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education and rehabilitation services), employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of such students with disabilities. [N.J.A.C. 6A:14-1.3, Appendix G]

44. Assistive Technology Categories Mobility Communication Access to Learning Sensory Functions Manipulation & Control

45. Example of Communication Technologies Low Tech High Tech

46. Examples of Mobility Technologies Mid Tech High Tech

47. Examples of Manipulation & Control Technologies Low Tech High Tech

48. Examples ofSensory Technologies Low Tech High Tech

49. Examples of Access to Learning Technologies Low Tech Mid Tech

50. Reflection for Capacity Building What are considerations for implementation? What is currently in place? -District-wide -Individual schools Where do we need to develop or expand this support?